Learn to crochet

and contribute to an EMF community blanket

Eli Chadwick (he/him and they/them)

31 May 2023

Introduction

About Me

  • Crochet since 2018
  • Loom knitting since 2021
  • I have taught people to use Unix and Git… but I have not taught people how to crochet
  • I will probably make mistakes or not explain things well
  • Fortunately, I have help!

Workshop Objectives

  • Be comfortable handling your hook and yarn and forming basic stitches
  • Know how to follow a crochet pattern
  • Feel confident enough to continue practicing on your own
  • Contribute to the community blanket!

Yarn, Hooks, And Other Materials

Yarn

Ball of yarn with label showing brand and weight

Weight

Table of yarn weights. The yarn in this workshop is category 5, aka bulky or chunky.

Fibre and dye lot

Zoomed yarn label showing the fibre is 100% acrylic, the shade is HEC08 GREEN, and the dye lot is 80.

Exact colour may vary between balls of same shade - if buying lots of balls of the same color, try to match the dye lot

We’ll talk more about fibre choices later

Gauge and care instructions

Zoomed yarn label showing that 6mm hooks/needles should be used, the gauge is 14 sts/20 rows for a 10x10 cms square, and the yarn should be washed gently and cool.

It’s a good idea to keep labels so you know how to care for your projects

Hooks

Eli's collection of crochet hooks, ranging from 3 mm to 20 mm.

Hooks are cheap (~£2 each) and can be bought individually or in sets

Hook anatomy

Anatomy of a crochet hook. The long part is called the shaft and may have a grip or thumb rest. The hook part is called the head, and features a throat which is a narrow straight part, a point or tip where the hook turns back on itself, a lip which juts backwards, and a bowl which is the inside of the lip and throat.

Some of our hooks have ergonomic handles, some do not - please swap if the one you have isn’t working for you

Hook size

The size indicator at the end of a hook shaft furthest from the head. This one reads USJ10/6.00mm.

Your hook size should match your yarn label (in most cases)

Other materials

  • tape measure/ruler
  • yarn needle aka darning needle aka tapestry needle - we’ll use this at the end
  • stitch markers - optional, but useful for some patterns
  • scissors

Time to start crocheting!

Following a pattern

A note on stitch terminology

UK vs US…

Tips for finding patterns online

Wrap-up

Fibre choices

Tekhnē-cal Village

Home to the blanket!

Feel free to visit - you can work on projects and/or pick up some yarn from the stash swap

Camping H (near Stage A)

Please be quiet if visiting at night - DO NOT WAKE THE BABY